Is the recitation of ‘I take refuge in the Buddha’ (or ‘Buddham Saranam Gacchami’) in a “mantra-like” fashion considered a form of Buddhanussati (recollection of the Buddha) that, according to the Early Buddhist Texts (EBTs), can lead to Nibbana?
Please, do we have such a reference in the EBT that points in that direction?
Ven. @sujato, @Brahmali, @Sunyo, I would be very grateful for your opinions. And naturally, anyone else who is able to contribute, your input would be highly valued!
If that practice can indeed lead to Nibbana, I’m very curious to learn how it functions.
I wouldn’t think that repeating anything in a mantra-like fashion is recommended in an early Buddhist text. That being said, accepting the Buddha as one’s teacher and recalling the qualities traditionally ascribed to him is certainly an important part of moving towards nibbana.
I agree, but isn’t repeating the refuge daily a way to recall the qualities attributed to him? It doesn’t need to be literally ‘mantra-like,’ just repeated several times. Does it make sense?
Generally no. The Triple Refuge is usually chanted just three times, as was the custom of the Buddhas culture, not used as a “mantra” on repeat as some Hindu’s have made “chants” of. The dhamma practice is a mindful reflection for arousing skillful qualities. It almost the exact opposite of the mindless repetition of a phase said to be imbued with magical powers and often repeated to block out experience.
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In the Suttas, again, the recollection practice is a preliminary reflection, for developing deeper states. Its not a repetitive mind numbing spell.
4.1Firstly, you should recollect the Realized One ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’
Nibbana is unconditioned. Reciting a mantra on repeat is to be conditioned.
Some may ask about the use of the repetition of “Buddho” as a later technique in some Theravada schools. It may seem like a mantra but:
Its not a magic spell
There no teaching that the actual sound of the word is special and carries sacred powers, as Sanskrit mantras are often taught
Its a reminder to be awake
Its used as a skillful means when restlessness stirs up thinking.
When the thought stream settles Buddho is dropped.
The Buddha’s teaching, as revealed in the early Suttas is genius level. Far beyond the reach of mantra.
Oh, just to make things clear: I don’t believe in mantras as magic spells or anything like that.
I am just trying to understand what it means to recall the Buddha, remember the Buddha, etc., and how reciting His name can help with this or not.
I used the word ‘mantra’ just for, I don’t know, pedagogical reasons, but I may have made the wrong choice. I’m very sorry about that.
an1.296:1.1“One thing, mendicants, when developed and cultivated, leads solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. an1.296:1.2What one thing? an1.296:1.3Recollection of the Buddha. an1.296:1.4This one thing, when developed and cultivated, leads solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.”
The same goes for:
Recollection of the teaching … Recollection of the Saṅgha … Recollection of ethical conduct … Recollection of generosity … Recollection of the deities … Mindfulness of breathing … Mindfulness of death … Mindfulness of the body … Recollection of peace.
Hi, i’ve taken these passages from the Uposatha Sutta -
"And how is a dirty head cleaned by applying effort? With cleansing paste, clay, and water, and by applying the appropriate effort. In the same way, a corrupt mind is cleaned by applying effort.
And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by applying effort? It’s when a noble disciple recollects the Realized One: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ As they recollect the Realized One, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. This is called: ‘A noble disciple who observes the sabbath of the divinity, living together with the divinity. And because they think of the divinity their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up.’ That’s how a corrupt mind is cleaned by applying effort." SuttaCentral.
--------- My understanding is that Buddhanusati meditation helps to temporarily put away defilements and to arouse joy and tranquility in the mind leading to, in my opinion, at least the first Jhana. If the meditator then practises insight meditation(satipatthana) they can attain to stream entry and experience Nibbana. So Buddhanussati would be a supporting cause to obtain samadhi before the developed insight can cut through personality view (sakkaya ditthi) and lead to Stream entry.
I agree that mindlessly reciting ‘I take refuge in the Buddha’ while distracted doesn’t seem to lead anywhere.
But if the refuge is recited with mindfulness, as a recollection of the Buddha and his qualities, couldn’t that lead to Nibbana? Or, at the very least, wouldn’t it help one enter the path and develop its other stages? What are your thoughts, @Erika_ODonnell , @Adarsh , @Jara ?
@Jara , please, I would like to know your thoughts about this quotes
" an1.296:1.1“One thing, mendicants, when developed and cultivated, leads solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. an1.296:1.2What one thing? an1.296:1.3Recollection of the Buddha. an1.296:1.4This one thing, when developed and cultivated, leads solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.”
I’m not sure exactly what the Buddha had in mind, so I think we just have to try different things and see how it affects our mental state.
Like, what is a good way for you to recollect the Buddha? It might be somewhat different to other people.
Personally, I don’t like recitation that much, I prefer to just let my mind dwell on the type of qualities someone like a Buddha must have. Or imagine what it would be like to meet a Buddha, or something like that.
But this isn’t necessarily the best way for someone else to do it. I think we have to become experts in knowing what works for our own minds
Hi, please see guided Buddhanusssati meditation from Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi. It’s based on recollecting and contemplating the nine major qualities of a Buddha.
It’s still not entirely clear to me.
Apparently, recollection of the Buddha and/or his qualities can lead to Nibbana. But recitation of the refuge can’t leat to Nibbana under any circumstances? Or is it that mindless recitation can’t?
